Colorado Law Staff Lead National Student Affairs Conference
Emily Horowitz poses with an Olympic gold medal after the conference's keynote address.
When student affairs professionals from law schools across the country gathered this summer, Emily Horowitz and Jake Moore were at the helm.
The Colorado Law staff members led the annual National Association of Law Student Affairs Professionals conference on June 9-11, 2026, bringing together peers to share best practices, tackle emerging challenges and strengthen support for law students nationwide.
The 10th annual event drew a record 250 representatives from law schools across the United States and Canada for presentations and networking designed to celebrate and encourage the professionals who help law students achieve success.
“My involvement with NALSAP is what refuels my battery, because NALSAP members do the same work we do at different schools, and they understand how challenging it can be at times,” Horowitz said.
Horowitz, assistant dean of student services at Colorado Law, served as conference co-chair, developing content, soliciting proposals and selecting speakers. Moore, the assistant director of student services, served on the conference planning committee, helping to design signs and other marketing materials.
The conference’s location at S.J. Quinney College of Law in Salt Lake City, home of the 2002 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, inspired the conference theme: Summon the Heroes.
The conference opened with a keynote from Olympic gold medalist Derek Parra, who spoke about the trials and triumphs he experienced across his speed skating career.
Sessions covered a range of topics including wellness, accommodations, working with student organizations, mentorship and the role of embedded mental health counselors.
Moore, who led a presentation about marketing with a colleague from Vanderbilt Law, said the conference is a great opportunity to both showcase Colorado Law’s successes and learn from others.
“Having that community and annual opportunity to connect reminds us that our challenges aren’t unique,” Moore said.
Participants also enjoyed social activities and networking events, including a torch-lighting celebration at the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Horowitz said NALSAP’s greatest benefit is helping members establish mentors and professional connections.
“No matter how long we’re in this industry … you think you’ve seen it all, and you haven’t,” she said. “The only thing that’s certain is that something new is going to come up.”
Colorado Law's Student Affairs team supports students throughout law school by planning orientation and commencement, overseeing student organizations, certifying students for the bar exam and helping students navigate challenges and milestones.
Jake Moore stands with co-presenter Michelle Kovash at the conference.
At Colorado Law, the Student Affairs team includes Horowitz and Moore, as well as Coordinator Lauren Viar and Law Registrar Shannon Foley. The team is fortunate to work closely with Danielle Anstead, an embedded counselor with CU 91Ҹ’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services.
Although the conference has concluded, Colorado Law’s leadership within the wider network of student affairs professionals will persist.
Horowitz is beginning a two-year term on NALSAP’s Board of Directors as the Western region representative, while Moore will continue to serve on NALSAP’s Conference Committee and its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Social Justice Committee.
Horowitz said she is proud of her team's work supporting colleagues nationwide and serving Colorado Law students.
“No one gets to and graduates from law school without the support of countless people along the way,” Horowitz said.